Page:The Eternal Priesthood (4th ed).djvu/194

182 fulness. If we were full, as we ought to be, of the divine facts and truths of faith, we should never lack the matter; and if we were united, as we ought to be, in heart and will with our Divine Master, we should not lack either light or fervour.

But to return to preparation. If it is the man that preaches, preparation is a life: it must begin early. In boyhood we ought to learn our mother-tongue—no hard task, if those who teach us know it themselves; we ought also to learn early how to use our reason. There is nothing recondite or difficult in logic, nothing that boys could not learn as soon as they know their grammar. This remote preparation is radical and vital. Then in due time comes the knowledge of Holy Scripture, which explains the Catechism; and theology, which unfolds and develops the Catechism into the science of faith. These preparatory disciplines cannot be got up on occasion when wanted. They must have been wrought into the intelligence by a continuous and progressive formation.

There will always be exceptions to every law, even of nature. Among those who see, some are dim-sighted; among those who hear, some cannot discern the distinction of musical notes; so it may be true that among those who know, some may